Scarfguard systems

ABSTRACT

The scarfguard system includes a scarf made from cotton, wool, silk, cashmere or other suitable materials. The device has a pocket or a sleeve sewn into the center wherein users may insert a disposable facemask or filter providing immediate, convenient and discreet protection from germs. An envelope-like flap is tucked into the pocket to keep the mask dry and in place. There is a plastic mesh strip sewn into both sides of the pocket for stability. Each end of the scarf has a pocket made of nylon, rubber, or other materials similar to those used in rainwear for inserting the hands. This grants users a protective covering for their hands that can be easily washed and sanitized for continued use. The scarf measure approximately 98″, but is also be available in several lengths, widths and colors to suit user preferences.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from priorprovisional application Ser. No. 61/285,567, filed Dec. 11, 2009 whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of face-masks andmore specifically relates to a scarfguard that may be used for warmthand to protect the wearer against everyday germs and viruses in a chicand discreet manner.

2. Description of the Related Art

Viruses, bacteria and other disease carrying pathogens can spreadquickly through populated public areas such as universities, officebuildings, stores and on various modes of public transportation.Although a significant number of consumers are concerned about theirexposure to airborne and surface dwelling germs, few preventativemeasures are currently available. Consumers can wash their hands withanti-bacterial soap, but most people would prefer not to touch surfacesthat may be contaminated such as grocery carts, door handles, and gasstation pumps. Surgical masks and other filters can be worn over thenose and mouth to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens, but thesetend to be uncomfortable and draw unwanted attention to the wearer. Amore discreet option is needed for keeping consumers healthy, germ freeand suitably protected from environmental conditions.

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problemssuch as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,214,804, 7,152,252, 4,641,379,5,033,115, 5,794,276, D369,442. This prior art is representative offacial protectors. None of the above inventions and patents, takeneither singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention asclaimed.

Ideally, a scarfguard device for protecting users from environmentalconditions should be chic and user-friendly and, yet operate reliablyand be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for areliable scarfguard system to provide warmth to a wearer and to protectthe wearer against everyday germs and viruses in a chic and discreetmanner and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known face-maskart, the present invention provides a novel Scarfguard system. Thegeneral purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail is to provide warmth and to protect thewearer against everyday germs and viruses in a chic and discreet manner.

Scarfguard may be used for warmth and to protect the wearer againsteveryday germs and viruses in a chic and discreet manner. The scarf hasa pocket for the insertion of a disposable facemask that filters outairborne pathogens such as the flu virus. Each end of the scarf has apocket allowing the user to slide their hands inside before turning adoorknob, pushing an elevator button, or touching other surfaces inpublic areas that may be contaminated. This product can be worn insideand out allowing consumers to be proactive and protect themselves fromgerms in a discreet and fashionable way. College students, people whocommute on public transportation, and any other health consciousindividual can wear this item to protect themselves from germs as oftenas they feel it's needed. People that have asthma, emphysema, or thosesuffering from an autoimmune deficiency would especially benefit fromthis convenient item.

A kit is also embodied herein for the scarfguard system comprising: atleast one scarf garment; and at least one removable disposableprotective mask insert.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferredmethod of use is disclosed herein comprising: inserting a removabledisposable protective mask insert into a mask-pocket located integralwith a scarf garment; donning and wrapping the scarf garment around aface and/or neck of a wearer for protection from cold weather andairborne particles and pathogens; removing the scarf garment; anddisposing of the used removable disposable protective mask insert andreplacing with a new removable disposable protective mask insert for anext in-use wear-period.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as aScarfguard system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certainaspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have beendescribed herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all suchadvantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particularembodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied orcarried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage orgroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of theinvention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specificationillustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention,Scarfguard systems, constructed and operative according to the teachingsof the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a Scarfguard system in an‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating another view of the scarfguardsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a protective mask-insertaccording to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another ‘in-use’ condition ofthe Scarfguard system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 1.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to aScarfguard device and more particularly to a scarfguard device forprotecting users from environmental conditions

Referring generally now to FIGS. 1-4, showing perspective viewsillustrating scarfguard system 100 according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

Scarfguard system 100 for protecting wearer(s) 120 from environmentalconditions preferably comprises: scarf garment 102 with a mask-pocket104 donable by at least one wearer 120; and a protective mask insert 130for filtering airborne matter. Wearer 120 is suitably protected fromairborne matter including dust particles, viruses, and bacteria whenwearing said scarf garment 102, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In this waythe present invention provides filtering protection from harmfulenvironmental airborne matter.

Scarf garment 102 preferably removably receives protective mask insert130 in mask-pocket 104 providing at least one environmental protectionfor wearer 120, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Scarf garment 102 preferablycomprising woven fabric which is repeatedly wrappable around a face ofwearer 120, as shown in FIG. 1. Woven fabric of scarf garment 102 maycomprise cotton, wool, silk, cashmere or other suitable materials.

Removable disposable protective mask insert 130 for filtering airbornematter comprises a mechanical filter respirator with fibrous material(woven to the desired consistency) suitable to provide an embeddingsurface. The fibrous material is woven such that particles greater than0.1 μm diameter are capturable via the embedding surface. Further, incertain embodiments the fibrous material is woven such that particlesless than 0.1 μm diameter are captured via an embedding surface,constituting a tighter weave. Embedding surface of protective maskinsert 130 may comprise a Hepa filter.

Scarf garment 102 further comprises first pocket 140 and second pocket150 located in a first end and a second end of scarf garment 102. Firstpocket 140 is sufficiently sized to fit a hand of wearer 120, as shownin FIG. 1. Second pocket 150 is sufficiently sized to fit a hand ofwearer(s) 120. First pocket 140 and said second pocket 150 preferablycomprise at least one lining. The lining may include nylon or rubber orother suitable waterproof material. In certain embodiments scarf garment102 may comprise only one of first pocket 140 and/or second pocket 150located in a first end and a second end of scarf garment 102 and inother embodiments may comprise neither first pocket 140 and/or secondpocket 150.

Scarf garment 102 comprises a length such that wearer 120 is able toinsert a hand into first pocket 140 to operate a doorknob while scarfgarment 102 remains donned about the face of wearer(s) 120. Scarfgarment 102 comprises a length such that wearer 120 is able to insert ahand into second pocket 150 to operate a doorknob while scarf garment102 remains donned about the face of wearer 120. In this way the userdoes not have to remove the device to operate hand-operable objects,making the device convenient and practical in use.

Scarf garment 102 preferably removably receives protective mask insert130 in mask-pocket 104, as shown in FIG. 3, thereby providing at leastone climatic and health-related environmental protection for wearer 120,such as that alluded to in FIG. 4. Mask insert 130 is removable and maybe disposable/non-disposible (washable or other). Mask-pocket 104 maycomprise an envelope-like flap tuckable into mask-pocket 104 to keepprotective mask insert 130 dry and in place. Mask-pocket 104 may furthercomprise at least one plastic mesh strip sewn into both sides forrigidity means. It should be appreciated that mask-pocket 104 maycomprise material other than mesh strip for providing suitablesupport/rigidity means and that an equivalent means may be used toachieve the same desired result(s).

Scarfguard system 100 may be sold as kit comprising the following parts:at least one scarf garment 102 and at least one removable disposableprotective mask insert 130. Scarfguard system 100 may be manufacturedand provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wideassortment of applications.

Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference,user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements,available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents orarrangements such as, for example, including more or less components,different weave masks, customized parts, different color combinations,parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferredmethod of use is disclosed herein comprising: step one inserting aremovable disposable protective mask insert 130 into a mask-pocket 104located integral with scarf garment 102; step two donning and wrappingscarf garment 102 around a face and/or neck of wearer 120 for protectionfrom cold weather and airborne particles and pathogens; step threeremoving scarf garment 104; and step four disposing of used removabledisposable protective mask insert 130 and replacing with a new removabledisposable protective mask insert 130 for a next in-use wear-period.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can becarried out in many different orders according to user preference. Uponreading this specification, it should be appreciated that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference,user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements,available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of usearrangements such as, for example, different orders withinabove-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps,including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may besufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application.

1. A scarfguard device for protecting users from environmentalconditions comprising: a scarf garment with a mask-pocket donable by atleast one wearer; and a protective mask insert for filtering airbornematter; wherein said scarf garment removably receives said protectivemask insert in said mask-pocket providing at least one environmentalprotection for said wearer; wherein said wearer is suitably protectedfrom said airborne matter.
 2. The scarfguard device of claim 1 furtherwherein said scarf garment comprises fabric and is wrappable around aface of said wearer.
 3. The scarfguard device of claim 1 wherein saidprotective mask insert comprises a mechanical filter respirator.
 4. Thescarfguard device of claim 3 further comprising fibrous materialsuitable to provide an embedding surface.
 5. The scarfguard device ofclaim 4 wherein said fibrous material is woven such that particlesgreater than 0.1 μm diameter are captured via said embedding surface. 6.The scarfguard device of claim 4 wherein said fibrous material is wovensuch that particles less than 0.1 μm diameter are captured via saidembedding surface.
 7. The scarfguard device of claim 6 wherein saidembedding surface of said protective mask insert comprises a Hepafilter.
 8. The scarfguard device of claim 2 further comprising a firstpocket, pocket located in a first end of said scarf garment and a secondpocket located in a second end of said scarf garment.
 9. The scarfguarddevice of claim 8 wherein said first pocket is sufficiently sized to fita hand of said wearer.
 10. The scarfguard device of claim 8 wherein saidsecond pocket is sufficiently sized to fit a hand of said wearer. 11.The scarfguard device of claim 8 wherein said first pocket and saidsecond pocket comprise at least one lining.
 12. The scarfguard device ofclaim 8 wherein said scarf garment comprises a length such that saidwearer is able to insert a hand into said first pocket to operate adoorknob while said scarf garment remains donned about said face of saidwearer.
 13. The scarfguard device of claim 8 wherein said scarf garmentcomprises a length such that said wearer is able to insert a hand intosaid second pocket to operate a doorknob while said scarf garmentremains donned about said face of said wearer.
 14. The scarfguard deviceof claim 6 wherein said airborne matter comprises dust particles. 15.The scarfguard device of claim 6 wherein said airborne matter comprisesviruses.
 16. The scarfguard device of claim 6 wherein said airbornematter comprises bacteria.
 17. The scarfguard device of claim 11 whereinsaid lining of said first pocket and said second pocket comprises nylon.18. A scarfguard device for protecting users from environmentalconditions comprising: a scarf garment with a mask-pocket donable by atleast one wearer, said scarf garment comprising woven fabric which isrepeatedly wrappable around a face of said wearer; and a removabledisposable protective mask insert for filtering airborne matter whichcomprises a mechanical filter respirator with fibrous material suitableto provide an embedding surface, said mask-pocket having anenvelope-like flap tuckable into the mask-pocket to keep said removabledisposable protective mask insert dry and in place, and with at leastone plastic mesh strip sewn into both sides of said mask-pocket; and afirst lined pocket, a second lined pocket located in a first end and asecond end of said scarf garment, said first lined pocket and saidsecond lined pocket being sufficiently sized to fit a hand of saidwearer, said first and second lined pockets lined with nylon or rubber;wherein said fibrous material of said removable disposable protectivemask insert is woven such that particles greater than, less than orequal to 0.1 μm diameter are captured via said embedding surface;wherein said scarf garment removably receives said protective maskinsert in said mask-pocket providing at least one climatic andhealth-related environmental protection for said wearer; wherein saidscarf garment comprises a length such that said wearer is able to inserta hand into said first lined pocket or said second lined pocket tooperate a hand-operable device while said scarf garment remains donnedabout said face of said wearer; and wherein said wearer is suitablyprotected from said airborne matter including dust particles, viruses,and bacteria when wearing said scarfguard device.
 19. The scarfguarddevice of claim 18 further comprising a kit including at least one saidscarf garment; and at least one said removable disposable protectivemask insert.
 20. A method of using a scarfguard device for protectingusers from environmental conditions comprising the steps of: inserting aremovable disposable protective mask insert into a mask-pocket locatedintegral with a scarf garment; donning and wrapping said scarf garmentaround a face and/or neck of a wearer for protection from cold weatherand airborne particles and pathogens; removing said scarf garment; anddisposing of used said removable disposable protective mask insert andreplacing with a new said removable disposable protective mask insertfor a next in-use wear-period.